Compensation

Mauve,

I was beyond shocked. No, I was flabbergasted. One moment, I was ready to walk away from this entire mess, from the humiliation, from him—only for Alessandro to stop me. Defend me. Call me his wife.

Why?

Why would he do that now? Why would the same man who slapped me that morning and ordered me to kneel in front of his lover suddenly protect me from further humiliation?

My feet wouldn’t stay still. I paced the length of the room, arms wrapped around myself as questions tore through my mind like wild wind ripping through curtains. Was he trying to guilt me? Manipulate me into staying longer? Was this another tactic in his carefully calculated game?

Evelyn’s face flashed in my memory—stunned, wide-eyed, betrayed. He had never disappointed her before. That look on her face meant only one thing.

He wanted something.

Maybe an extension. Maybe more time before the divorce. Maybe something darker. What if he wanted to reduce me to nothing, to make me Evelyn’s puppet under the illusion of being his wife? The thought made bile rise in my throat.

My body trembled. I pressed a hand to my stomach.

I had been feeling off lately—nauseous, faint, exhausted. It wasn’t hard to guess. A werewolf’s child… my body was fighting to keep up with it.

I hurried toward the bathroom, bracing myself for another wave of sickness, but stopped cold when I heard footsteps approach the door.

I thought it would be Butler Carl. He always came by at this hour, always knocked gently and asked if I needed anything. I prayed for it to be him.

But it wasn’t.

My eyes widened as Alessandro walked in.

His presence filled the room like a storm. He was dressed sharply as ever—tailored suit, ocean-blue shirt under a deep charcoal vest. The fabric clung to his broad frame with sharp precision. But it wasn’t the clothes that made me freeze.

It was his eyes. Golden and piercing. Focused entirely on me.

“What are you doing in the bathroom?” he asked, voice even. “Are you going in or coming out?”

I couldn’t speak. My fingers clutched the hem of my dress as if it might keep my fear from spilling out of me.

“I…” I swallowed. “Yes. Mr. Simmons.” I didn't know why I said yes. All I could do was move inside, closing the bathroom door.

He stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. I flinched instinctively.

“Sit,” he said, gently but firmly.

I obeyed, perching on the edge of the bed like a statue, still trembling.

The scent of his cologne—citrus, cedarwood, and something purely alpha—wrapped around me, cold and clean but sharp enough to sting. It covered his real scent, the one I used to detect in my sleep, the one that haunted my dreams.

As an Alpha, he never let him real scent out. Except when his Wolf was in rut.

We sat in silence. My heart pounded in my chest so loud it echoed in my ears.

Then, without a word, he extended a platinum card toward me.

I stared at it, confused.

Why was he giving me a card?

He didn’t explain. He just held it out like a peace offering. Or a bribe? Or... maybe.

My voice wobbled as I stood, refusing to take it. “No. I want to finish the marriage within three weeks. I’m grateful for what you’ve done, but I don’t want to be married to you anymore.”

His silence was heavier than words.

The slap from this morning replayed in my mind again. The way he’d looked at me. The way he’d spoken.

If I stayed… if I stayed one more week with him and Evelyn, I would lose myself. And maybe, I would lose the fragile life growing inside me.

I thought I wanted affection. A small piece of him. But that was a foolish wish.

All I wanted now was freedom.

He finally spoke. “Do you hate this marriage that much?”

My throat closed. “Do you like it?” My voice cracked. “Who enjoys living like a robot? I want out.”

The words came out in a rush. I forgot to control myself. Forgot that I still had to secure the compensation. But at that moment, all I felt was a deep, ripping sense of betrayal.

He remained still. Emotionless.

And when I realized what I’d said, panic stabbed through my chest. I had crossed the line.

A sharp wave of nausea surged. My body doubled over. I felt the entire room rattled. The floor spun beneath me, and I collapsed.

“Ms. Scarlet!” His voice cracked through the air, urgent. “What happened?”

His arm was around my waist in seconds, lifting me off the ground.

I struggled to pull away. “I need to go to the washroom.”

I couldn’t let him hold me. Couldn’t let him get close. Couldn’t risk him catching even a trace of the scent that didn't belong to me but his child.

“What happened?” he asked again, his grip tightening protectively.

My eyes widened when he pulled me into a full embrace. His scent, usually so controlled, slipped free. It wrapped around me like wildfire and cold ice at once.

“Calm down,” he whispered. “Let’s talk properly.”

The fear twisting in my stomach paused. For just a second, it was replaced by something strange—something warm.

But I pushed him away. My mind screamed warnings. I stepped back quickly, but he caught my arm and guided me back onto the bed.

“I… I’m sorry.” I dropped my gaze. My hands trembled. My skin had gone pale.

Had I just lost everything? The money, the child? What if he sensed it? Alpha's power wasn't something to underestimate.

He didn’t move for a moment. Then he held the card out again.

“One million dollars.”

My lips parted. “One million dollars? For what?”

The original compensation was ten million. Was this punishment? He was taking the rest of the money because of the messages, I didn't send.

“About this morning,” he said. “I should have handled it better. Slapping you was a crime. You can press charges if you want. But I hope… I hope you’ll accept this and move past it. I’m sorry.”

My breath hitched.

Was I dreaming?

Alessandro Simmons… apologizing? To ME? A replacement, a doll who was doing everything to make money?

“What’s wrong?” he asked when I didn’t answer. “I acknowledged it. I don’t condone violence. I just—”

“Why?” I asked, softly. “You didn’t care before.”

“Before?” His brow arched.

“You destroyed things I loved. You hurt me.”

His jaw clenched. “Because you were under contract then. You were bound to do what I asked. But now… the contract’s invalid. You’re my wife. And my employee.”

He wasn’t lying. It was the truth. Cold, brutal truth.

But it still stung.

“I don’t want it,” I said, voice trembling. “Just give me the divorce papers and what you owe me. That’s all.”

His golden eyes hardened. “Take it. No more words. Butler Carl will bring your clothes. Make sure you’re dressed properly. You embarrassed me enough already. I’ve forgiven you this time. There won’t be a second chance.”

His voice had returned to its usual coldness. And his warning felt a slap on his face. He trusted Evelyn about those messages and I didn't have any proof to prove myself innocent.

I nodded quietly, clutching the card in my hand. I didn't have that right to say anything against his words.

A slap, paid off with a million dollars.

What a strange feeling.